Directional Micro-LED Light Field Display with Parabolic Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display technologies are unable to capture and utilize all the angular information captured by light field cameras, limiting the ability to display images with high angular resolution.
Innovation Solution
The development of light field displays using directional collimating micro-LED devices, where each micro-LED array comprises a plurality of micro-LEDs with reflective surfaces forming circular parabolic mirrors, allowing for high angular resolution by directing light in specific directions, and including a combination of red, green, and blue micro-LEDs to provide sub-pixels of angular resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional display technologies are used, then device complexity is low, but angular resolution is insufficient and cannot utilize captured angular information
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into multiple micro-LED arrays, where each array corresponds to a specific angular direction. Each micro-LED array is further divided into multiple micro-LEDs that emit light at different angles. This segmentation allows the system to capture and display angular information from multiple directions simultaneously, achieving high angular resolution by distributing the angular information across many small, manageable units rather than requiring a single complex component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional two-dimensional display to a multi-dimensional light field display by adding angular dimension. Multiple micro-LED arrays are arranged in space with each array oriented at different angles, creating a three-dimensional light distribution pattern. This dimensional expansion allows the display to utilize angular information captured by light field cameras, transforming flat images into immersive 3D light fields that convey depth and spatial information.
2Manufacturing precision
If light field displays with high angular resolution are created, then angular information utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into standardized steps that can be repeated for each micro-LED array. Each array is manufactured using the same techniques (epitaxial growth, photolithography, etching, metallization) and then assembled in predetermined angular orientations. This segmentation of the manufacturing process into modular, repeatable operations reduces overall complexity while maintaining high angular resolution precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter changes in the epitaxial growth process to create micro-LEDs with different emission characteristics. By controlling composition, thickness, and doping during epitaxial growth, micro-LEDs can be tuned to emit at specific wavelengths and angles. This parameter control during manufacturing enables precise angular resolution without requiring post-manufacturing adjustment, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple micro-LED devices with different colors are combined, then color resolution and angular resolution are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges color information and angular information into a unified micro-LED array structure. Each micro-LED array contains multiple micro-LEDs of different colors (red, green, blue) arranged in specific spatial patterns. This merging allows the system to simultaneously encode both color and angular information in the light emission, achieving full-color light field display without requiring separate systems for color and angular control.
Solution Approach 2:
Each micro-LED device is designed to be multi-functional, serving both color display and angular direction functions. The micro-LEDs are positioned and oriented such that their spatial arrangement determines the angular information while their emission wavelength determines the color information. This universality reduces overall system complexity by having each component perform multiple functions rather than requiring separate specialized components for color and angular control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the creation of high angular resolution light field displays that effectively utilize captured angular information, enhancing the perception of depth and distance cues in displayed images.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality micro-LED devices comprises a reflective surface forming a substantially circular parabolic mirror
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide for light field displays and methods of forming light field displays where micro-LED arrays are each configured to provide at least a macro-pixel of effective native hardware resolution, where each macro-pixel provides single pixel of spatial resolution and plurality of pixels of angular resolution, and where each pixel of angular resolution includes a plurality of sub-pixels each provided by a directional collimating micro-LED device described herein.